The Commodore Bar and Restaurant owner John Rupp and his wife, Stephanie Laitala-Rupp, are photographed Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in front of the spaces original bar, which dates back to the mid 1930s. (Pioneer Press: Andy Rathbun)

St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill neighborhood is often on the top of the list of places to check out when visiting our Capitol City.

Walking tours, Segway excursions and coach bus tours often crowd the streets with interested visitors taking a moment to learn a bit about what makes this historic neighborhood a sought-after destination for dining, shopping and fun events. But people also live here.

Todd Walker

I thought I would peek around and ask a few questions at some local taverns and shops, and chat with some longtime residents to learn a bit more about the history and development of this neighborhood that I fondly refer to as my ‘hood. One name seemed to come up again and again: John Rupp, the man behind the stately iconic structures of the University Club, the Commodore Bar and Restaurant, and as we enter the season of high school homecoming celebrations, the place where many of us spent time having dinner before the big dance: W.A. Frost.

Rupp is a restaurateur, real-estate developer and proud Summit Avenue resident. Over an adult beverage one fine fall afternoon, I sat down with Rupp to learn more about his view on the city of St. Paul.

What brought you to the neighborhood and how did you get started in real estate development?

“I was in law school and needed a cheap place to live. At that time, Cathedral Hill was cheap, so I borrowed the down payment from my father and bought a former Hill family mansion on Virginia and Laurel, just north of Summit Avenue, that had been converted to a nursing home. I rented rooms to friends to pay the expenses. Within the first 60 days, I was awakened in the middle of the night by a shotgun blast a short distance from my house. The blast was associated with a drug deal gone bad. This event along with many others explained to me in graphic terms why the area was being abandoned. But that also meant this situation had a positive side. Fabulous properties were for sale cheap … and in some case literally given to me for free to take them off the owner’s hands.”

What did you see in this neighborhood?

“Before law school, I had hitchhiked through Europe with a friend. Urban neighborhoods like Cathedral Hill were vibrant. When I came back to St. Paul, I saw Cathedral Hill as inevitably becoming one of those neighborhoods. I was absolutely sure of it. So I practiced law for less than a year and decided … with essentially no money … that I would try to save as many fabulous buildings as I could. I saw the neighborhood as a huge opportunity. At the beginning, there were very few others investing in the neighborhood, and then momentum began to pick up after my opening W.A. Frost in 1975.”

What are some of the properties you have developed throughout your career?

“I mostly worked in the Cathedral Hill area initially and then moved to downtown. That was when the area was a less-than-pleasant or safe place to be. But the bones were good, and the real estate was seriously undervalued. People were taking back this part of the city and driving the drug dealers and prostitutes out. Back then, I rescued lots of buildings, renovated them and then sold them to people who could bring them into their next chapter.
A few of my developments have been the Dacotah Building/W.A. Frost; Blair Arcade Commercial, St. Paul Athletic Club; University Club; Burbank Livingston Griggs Mansion; Exchange Building; St. Paul Building; and the Commodore Bar and Restaurant.”

The Blair Arcade Building in St. Paul. (Wikipedia)

What projects are you currently working on in St. Paul?

“Right now, a lot of my energy is going into a conversion of the Davidson Mansion/College of Visual Arts building to a boutique hotel. We are the only historic district in the country without a boutique hotel. It was a struggle getting it through the planning and approval stages, but we finally got it approved. We plan to open spring or early summer of 2017.”

You purchased the Dacotah Building in 1975 where W.A. Frost has been operating since. What was the condition of the Dacotah when you bought it?

“The main floor of the building was almost completely abandoned and infested with rats. The bar was a former Laundromat that had been closed for many years. The only business left was a Catholic store, and most of the apartments had been abandoned and were essentially uninhabitable. The only remaining tenants were criminals of various kinds that stayed warm by burning wood in the center of their units. The caretaker carried a lead pipe for protection and all of the windows had been boarded up. What is now a beautiful garden was once a crumbling asphalt parking lot.”

What do you attribute to the long-term success and staying power of W.A. Frost in a competitive restaurant market?

“Frost celebrated its 40th year last year. What a humbling experience that it’s still beloved by so many. From the beginning, we wanted to be a neighborhood institution, a place where neighbors could come a couple times a week. And we also had a building steeped in history, romance and beauty. Bringing those to the surface and polishing them off wasn’t an easy feat, but it was one worth doing. Forty years later, we’re proud to still be going strong.”

W.A. Frost (Pioneer Press file photo)

It took many years for us to see the return of the Commodore restaurant. How has the first year fared, and are there any future plans for the property?

“The Commodore Bar and Restaurant went bankrupt in the early 1990s. However, I was convinced that the concept was good. It was just the timing that was off. So I bought it closed, and operated it for many years primarily as an event venue associated with the University Club. A couple of years ago, I decided the timing was right to try the public restaurant concept again. I wanted to bring a glamorous, romantic and affordable place back to life. Our first year has been fabulous, way beyond our ‘best case.’ It is gratifying to hear the many stories and memories of people’s time at the Commodore.”

We need roof-top dining in this neighborhood. Any plans to bring this to the Commodore?

“The plan is to reopen the roof garden that operated at the Commodore from the 1920s until about 1960.”

The Commodore Bar and Restaurant. (Pioneer Press: Jean Pieri)

What are your thoughts on the restaurant industry, and what do you see for the future of dining?

“I admit to being concerned about the number of new restaurants that are opening in the Twin Cities. It feels to me that there are too many for all to succeed.

“This concern is exacerbated by a political climate that makes operating restaurants, which are low-margin businesses, very tricky: a mandated paid sick leave, one of the three highest state minimum-wage rates in the United States and still one of only seven states without a tip credit; health insurance mandates, and so on. We don’t pay anyone minimum wage, with the exception of servers, who make a thrivable wage with tips. But to give a forced raise to someone already paid well is necessarily at the expense of the nontipped employees. Either that or raise prices to an uncomfortable point for guests. It’s a tough situation with no easy answers.”

The health club/fitness center market is another crowded category. How have you carved out a market with the St. Paul Athletic Club?

“It was actually easier than you might think. I toured lots of facilities and was struck with the horrible lighting, cacophonous noise and, frankly, ugly and crowded environments. I’ve spent my life creating beautiful things. Why not a beautiful health club? After all, if you’re there to get healthy and enhance overall wellness, surely you should not be stressed out just by walking in the place. So I started there.

“And we succeeded. The St. Paul Athletic Club is one of the most beautiful athletic clubs in the country — stunning, actually. Of course we have competitive programming and classes, all the necessary equipment and personal trainers. But we’re also located in a spectacular historic landmark building designed by the same architect that designed Grand Central Station in New York. Niche? I’d say so. We’re literally one of a kind. And we’re proud to be one of St. Paul’s treasures.”

The St. Paul Athletic Club at Fourth and Cedar in downtown St. Paul. (File photo)

As a longtime St. Paul resident, what enhancements would you like to see to our city?

“St. Paul is on the upswing. At least some parts of St. Paul. I am greatly troubled by the central core of downtown, which has a long way to go. It’s in desperate need of attention and revitalization.

“Our city is made strong by good-paying jobs, a strong tax base and livable neighborhoods. Forty years ago, it felt like the people who were trying to save the Cathedral Hill neighborhood and invest in the city were heroes — like we were in partnership with the city to make it a better place. Today it seems like there is an active dislike and resentment of people trying to build a business. Like owning a business makes the owners suspect instead of respected for the risk they are taking pursuing one of the great American dreams. It’s clear the city wants jobs. But it seems that the city doesn’t care much for the people who create those jobs. It certainly doesn’t go out of its way to help us. Indeed, there are times it seems to put up roadblocks at every turn. I’d really like to see a better sense of cooperation between the city’s licensing and regulatory functions and people who want to make investments in the city — whether that’s new endeavors or strengthening existing investments.

“This is a little self-serving, but we have an unequal parking situation in the city. Currently, the city has blocked much of the street parking in Cathedral Hill in spite of the fact that every other neighborhood — without exception in the city — has two-sided street parking. The damage to area businesses cannot be overstated. So I’d like to see a comprehensive city street parking strategy — treating all neighborhoods the same.”

When you’re not dining at one of your restaurants, where do you like to enjoy a nice dinner?

“At home with my wife and best friend. She’s a great cook!”

Describe the perfect day or night in St. Paul.

“One seen as perfect through the eyes of my grandchildren.”

What do you see as the next emerging market in St. Paul?

“Well, at long last, Selby Avenue has finally been reclaimed. I see the West Seventh Street neighborhood on the upswing, and certain industrial building conversions in the Midway area. I believe housing will continue to be developed in the downtown area to fill vacant commercial and office buildings.”

What advice would John Rupp give to his 18-year-old self?

“What Churchill once said: ‘Never give in, never give in, never, never, never — in nothing great or small, larger or petty — never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.’ ”

What are you most proud of?

“Two things: We employ 250 people. That’s 250 mortgages, car payments, tables with food on them, that we are responsible for, and we take that responsibility very seriously. I’m so honored this amazing team of professionals chose to work with us. Without them, we have empty spaces. Pretty spaces, but empty. They are what make this whole thing work.

“My entire adult life has been spent in St. Paul rescuing beautiful properties, creating places for people to enjoy, and holding them for future generations to enjoy, as well. In the 40 years I’ve been at this, we’ve had over 6 million people create memories in our spaces. I’m very proud of that.”

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